Photo Test! Professional Review of the EF-M11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM Wide-angle Zoom

Equipped with an APS-C size CMOS sensor, the mirrorless EOS M realizes both a compact size as well as a high image quality. In addition to the existing standard zoom lens and pancake type prime lens, which are EF-M lenses designed exclusively for the EOS M, the EF-M11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM super wide-angle zoom lens has been newly added to the lineup. In the following, let's take a closer look at the charms of this super wide-angle lens as we journey through Hokkaido in the northern part of Japan for landscape shots with fresh, verdant green as the theme. (Reported by: Masumi Takahashi)

An aspherical lens is used for the first and ninth elements, and a UD lens for the seventh element to achieve high image quality throughout the entire zoom range. Also, an Image Stabilizer has been employed for the first time on a wide-angle zoom lens in the EF lens series, which supports handheld shooting with a correction effect equivalent to about three stops of shutter speed.

Light from the setting sun broke through the clouds. To capture the fleeting view, I took the shot by tapping the touch screen of the rear LCD monitor to adjust the focus and exposure. In landscape photography, light and shadow are ever-changing. It was enjoyable trying to seize the defining moment as the nature changed its expression by the second.

At the end of May, you can hear the voices of Japanese cicadas echoing through the forest of Japanese larch trees. The shells of the recently-emerged cicadas formed a line that stretched toward the sky. Here, I moved extremely close to the cicada shells using the wide-angle end of the zoom lens to create a strong perspective effect.

At Hokkaido, the verdant young willows and the deep pink of the cherry blossoms create an invigorating sight. With the camera pointing up from a position where the subjects were brightened by the slightly oblique light, I was able to include the vivid blue sky in the background of this landscape shot. Both the apparent resolution and color reproduction were satisfactory.

Taking handheld shots with the help of the Image Stabilizer feature

A third member has been added to the EF-M lens lineup. The EF-M11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM is a super wide-angle zoom lens with an angle of view equivalent to a focal length of about 18 to 35mm in the 35mm format. Here, I tested the usability and depictive performance of the lens through some actual shots. At the wide-angle end, the compact and lightweight EF-M11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM supports shooting at a super wide-angle with a focal length of about 18mm, allowing photographic expression that is totally different from that of a standard zoom lens. You can enjoy excellent portability when it is combined with the EOS M, making it a useful lens too for capturing natural landscapes. In the test here, I have intentionally included the sun in the composition, but flare was found to be minimal. Distortions characteristic of super wide-angle lenses were also favorably corrected.

Even professional photographers find the combination of EOS M and EF-M11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM appealing for its high mobility. The compact design enables photographic expression from a whole new perspective.

For me, the cherry blossom season is one of the busiest periods of the year. With the EOS M and EF-M11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM as my companions, I spent the entire day photographing the spring scenery of Hokkaido, which was changing rapidly. Thanks to this combination, the compact and light weight did not cause any fatigue. Shooting using the touch screen was intuitive, so operations such as selecting the focusing point were easy. For shots of the white arum and marsh marigold flowers that showed up between the snow, I needed to brighten the exposure on many occasions as the main theme appeared dark due to the snow. However, with the resulting brightness and color displayed in real time on the Live View screen of the EOS M, I could obtain the desired brightness easily as the exposure was adjusted according to the point on the image that I tapped. With the help of these shooting functions, I was able to carry out the shoot at a swift pace.

By tapping a point on the image displayed, focus and exposure metering is adjusted. This will reduce the frequency of using exposure compensation function when shooting subjects such as white flowers. Also, the new firmware enhances the AF speed of EOS M which allowed me to concentrate more on the subject.

A firmware has been distributed for the EOS M to enhance the AF speed. During this session, I made a comparison of the EOS M before and after the firmware update. The conclusion is that there is a significant increase in the AF focusing speed with the new firmware version. This enhancement in the speed allowed me to concentrate more on the subject, as if I had the magnificent view all to myself through this small camera. With a camera that gives you the opportunity to come face to face with the scenery, feel the changes, and focus on the shoot, there is no doubt that your landscape photography skills will improve more quickly.

* This article is created based on a trial model. Aspects such as the appearance and image quality may differ slightly from the actual product. Also the body color introduced here for the EOS M is currently available only in a limited area.

Masumi Takahashi

Born in 1959 in Hokkaido. Takahashi began photographing during his college days with the mountains of Hokkaido as the main theme. He has been producing works on the natural landscapes of Biei and Furano with his own unique sensitivity.

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